Maoist devices throw up leads on China links

For the first time,the security agencies are probing an axis of cooperation and liaison between North East insurgent groups and the Maoists who have now got access to hi-tech gadgets and weapons,some of them said to be of Chinese make.

“The devices are highly sophisticated. It shows that the Maoists are going hi-tech. We are investigating into the matter and we are verifying the origin of the seized devices,” said Kolkata Police Commissioner Gautam Mohan Chakraborty.

The STF will send the seized devices and arms to Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Hyderabad.

“Should the CFSL report confirm the nature of the devices and their Chinese make,we will prepare a report on the seizures and forward it to the Union Home Ministry so that the issue can be raised through diplomatic channels,” said a senior police officer.

The security agencies believe that CFSL’s confirmation about the Chinese origin of the devices will be a hard evidence of Chinese supplying sophisticated arms to the Maoists — a claim made by Union Home Secretary G K Pillai a year ago.

According to STF sources,they have seized nearly 200 manpacks — wireless communication devices which include around 50 high-end static satellite phones. These satellite phones work in the radius of 25 kilometres. “These devices were used by the Maoists for communication purpose. The use of cellphones had become suicidal for them as they were being easily tracked by the police,” said a senior STF officer.

The seized articles also include 180 rounds of ammunition for AK-47 rifles and voice-activated explosives. Besides,the STF has recovered several CDs on Nepal Maoists’ urban warfare.

Documents appearing to be pre and post analysis of Silda,Gidhni and Sankrail operations have also ben found.

“After we recovered the explosives and the circuits,it seems that the Maoists are continuously researching on technologies to prepare sophisticated explosives,” said Rajiv Kumar,Additional Commissioner of Police,STF.

During the interrogation,Maoist leaders have admitted that some of the senior leaders of the party,including one Central Committee member,had visited China. They also frequented North-Eastern states to negotiate with leaders of insurgent groups like People’s Liberation Army (Manipur) on delivery of arms,said a police officer.

The Maoists,said police,have started equipping themselves to take on Army. A sizeable section of the top Maoist leadership feel that the Maoists need to go hi-tech and be prepared to confront the Army if such a situation arises.